Methods for the retrieval and differentiation of blue, green and red exposure records of the same hue from photographic elements containing absorbing interlayers

Abstract

A method is disclosed of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing (e.g., lacking an incorporated dye-forming coupler). A first interlayer overlies the emulsion layer unit nearest the support for transmitting to it imagewise exposing radiation this emulsion layer unit is intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region. A second interlayer underlies the emulsion layer unit farthest from the support for transmitting to the underlying emulsion layer units exposing radiation they are intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region. The imagewise exposed photographic element is photographically processed to produce a reflective image in each of the emulsion layer units and is reflection scanned utilizing the absorption of the first and second interlayers to provide the image information in two of the emulsion layer units. The photographic element is scanned through the interlayers and all of the emulsion layer units to provide a spectrally undifferentiated third record of the combined images in all of the emulsion layer units. The first, second and third records are compared to obtain separate blue, green and red exposure records. In the photographic elements of the invention the interlayers remain or become light absorbing after photographic processing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of obtaining from an imagewise exposed photographic element separate records of the imagewise exposure to each of the blue, green and red portions of the spectrum comprising (a) photographically processing an imagewise exposed photographic element comprised of   a support and, coated on the support,   a sequence of superimposed blue, green and red recording silver halide emulsion layer units that produce images of the same hue upon processing, one of the emulsion layer units forming a first emulsion layer unit in the sequence coated nearest the support, another of the emulsion layer units forming a last emulsion layer unit in the sequence coated farthest from the support and an intermediate emulsion layer unit located between the first and last emulsion layer units, and   (b) obtaining separate blue, green and red exposure records from the photographic element, wherein     (c) the photographic element is additionally comprised of   interposed between the first emulsion layer unit and the intermediate emulsion layer unit a first interlayer for transmitting to the first emulsion layer unit electromagnetic radiation the first emulsion layer unit is intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region and   interposed between the last emulsion layer unit and the intermediate emulsion layer unit a second interlayer for transmitting to the intermediate and first emulsion layer units electromagnetic radiation these emulsion layer units are intended to record and for absorbing after photographic processing scanning radiation within at least one wavelength region,   (d) the imagewise exposed photographic element is photographically processed to produce a reflective image in each of the emulsion layer units,   (e) the photographic element is reflection scanned utilizing the absorption of the first and second interlayers to provide a first record of the image information in one of the first and last emulsion layer units and a second record of the image information in one other of the emulsion layer units, and   (f) the photographic element is scanned through the first and second interlayers and all of the emulsion layer units within a wavelength region to which the first and second interlayers are transmissive to provide a third record representing a combination of images in all of the emulsion layer units, and   (g) the first, second and third records are compared to obtain separate blue, green and red exposure records.   
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first emulsion layer unit is reflection scanned through the support at a scanning wavelength which the first interlayer is capable of absorbing to provide a first image record and   the last emulsion layer unit is reflection scanned from above the support at a scanning wavelength which the second interlayer is capable of absorbing to provide a second image record.   
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the last emulsion layer unit is a blue recording emulsion layer unit and the second interlayer is a blue absorbing interlayer. 
     
     
       4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the first emulsion layer unit is a red recording emulsion layer unit and the first interlayer is a blue or green absorbing interlayer. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the first and second interlayers are blue absorbing interlayers. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the last emulsion layer unit is reflection scanned from above the support at a wavelength which the second interlayer absorbs to provide the image record contained in the last emulsion layer unit, the last and intermediate layer units are concurrently reflection scanned at a second wavelength which the second interlayer transmits and the first interlayer absorbs to provide a readout of the combined image records of the last and intermediate emulsion layer units, and the image record of the last emulsion layer unit is subtracted from the combined image records to provide an image record of the intermediate emulsion layer unit. 
     
     
       7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the last emulsion layer unit is a blue recording layer unit, the intermediate emulsion layer unit is a green recording layer unit, the first emulsion layer unit is a red recording layer unit, the second interlayer is a blue absorbing interlayer and the first interlayer is a green absorbing interlayer. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim 1 wherein during photographic processing silver halide is developed to produce a silver image and developed silver is removed from the photographic element to leave image patterns of light reflecting silver halide grains in each of the emulsion layer units. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the support is a reflective support and the photographic element is reflection scanned through the first and second interlayers and all of the emulsion layer units to provide the third record of the combined images in all of the emulsion layer units. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the support is chosen to be transparent following photographic processing and the photographic element is transmission scanned through the first and second interlayers and all of the emulsion layer units to provide the third record of the combined images in all of the emulsion layer units.